Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

It's a kick...huge rye flavor with all the spice of good rye. It's the only single malt rye, all of the others are cut with corn (and I don't think they are malted), so it's a very different flavor than any other rye. I love it, but I know a number of people who think it is just too much in the rye department...more spice and not much in the way of sweetness. My favorite OP was the Hoatling, but I think it's all gone.

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

Old Potrero- Truly amazing stuff. Unliked the others listed, it is 100 percent malted rye (most rye are a bit over half rye). Bright rye spices and spiced cookies. I did not take good tasting notes, and still have a sample of this one: Old Potrero Single Malt Whiskey Essay 7-RW-ARM-6 100% Rye uncharred oak barrels(61%, OB, December 31st, 1997- July 14th, 2000)/

I scored it a 92, my highest American whsiky..Saz 18s have been very good also, in the high 80s. Baby saz is very good as well. However, I actaully like the Wild Turkey Rye nealry as well. I do not much care of Jim Beam Rye, and old Overholt is fine, but a bit thin.

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

Of those listed the Sazerac was my first choice, (but I assumed the reference was the 18 year old).

Unlisted:

I think Rittenhouse Rye's 100Âº Bottled in Bond is a 'best' buy. It isn't nearly as complex or sophisticated as some of the older ryes, but is good enough straight or perfect for a cocktail ingredient at a fraction the cost of it's older mates.

I think the Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye also is a good buy - if/when you can find it.

On the higher-end and limited editions stuff, I thought the privately bottled, Willett Rye was my favorite in recent memory. Followed not far behind by a somewhat young, but very prestigious rye, Thomas H Handy, introduced into Buffalo Trace's Antique Collection in 2006. Third would be the Sazerac 18.

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

The Templetons Rye is an old Prohibition era whiskey that is made in Iowa in copper pot stills and now only sold there and Chicago. Being from the latter, I think that it's fitting that we should get something in exchange for our winters.

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

My favorite Rye is actually a new find. The High West Rendezvous Rye is blended by a new micro-distillery in Utah. It's a blend of a 17 yr and a 6 yr, and the age creates a mellow and complex Rye. I like the Old Pot, and the Hoatling's is also superb, but the OP in particular is just too brash for my tastes. I need to try the Templeton though....

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

hilliamash wrote:So, I've limited this to the American Rye's--did not include Canadian. I also did not make a distinction between age/expressions to keep it simple. My personal favorite? Templeton's...then the Saz's.

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

The Saz for me. I was at a local liquor store the other day and I seen a bottle of a rye whiskey I have never heard of. It is called Rye 1. Labeled as (r)1. Anyone ever seen or heard of this? I was tempted to buy it because I was intrigued. But I bought Laphroaig 10 in its stead.

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

MacAttack80 wrote:The Saz for me. I was at a local liquor store the other day and I seen a bottle of a rye whiskey I have never heard of. It is called Rye 1. Labeled as (r)1. Anyone ever seen or heard of this? I was tempted to buy it because I was intrigued. But I bought Laphroaig 10 in its stead.

The new (r)1 is a Jim Beam product I've read mixed reviews on it on other sites but everyone agrees it's overpriced. You paying mostly for packaging (a pretty bottle) , advertising, and hype. They're aiming more for the hi end vodka and the wine drinkers more than the whisk(e)y drinkers. I'm not going to waste my money on it.

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

WhiskeyBroMike wrote:My favorite Rye is actually a new find. The High West Rendezvous Rye is blended by a new micro-distillery in Utah. It's a blend of a 17 yr and a 6 yr, and the age creates a mellow and complex Rye. I like the Old Pot, and the Hoatling's is also superb, but the OP in particular is just too brash for my tastes. I need to try the Templeton though....

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

MacAttack80 wrote:The Saz for me. I was at a local liquor store the other day and I seen a bottle of a rye whiskey I have never heard of. It is called Rye 1. Labeled as (r)1. Anyone ever seen or heard of this? I was tempted to buy it because I was intrigued. But I bought Laphroaig 10 in its stead.

The new (r)1 is a Jim Beam product I've read mixed reviews on it on other sites but everyone agrees it's overpriced. You paying mostly for packaging (a pretty bottle) , advertising, and hype. They're aiming more for the hi end vodka and the wine drinkers more than the whisk(e)y drinkers. I'm not going to waste my money on it.

I'd heard those reviews too, but I picked up a bottle on a whim, and it's actually quite a nice whiskey. It's on the smoother end of the scale in terms of ryes(not super spicy), but it's very flavorful.

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

upright wrote:Saz is really cool, even the wife likes it. Wish i could get hold of an 18 yo. Saz i mean.

Binny's liquors out of Chicago is doing an exclusive single barrel Saz jr (Saz 6YO) in June. I have an internet friend who lives near Chicago that's going to ship me one maybe two as Binny's doesn't ship to Iowa.

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

I saw the P1 rye at several stores in New England. I found the price pretty steep at $40 or so. I would have bought it anyway but the bottle looked too feminine for my taste. Â«Pretty bottleÂ» some of you have said; I agree, if it were brandy or tequila or some other girl drink...but it is RYE.

Re: American Rye Whisk(e)y

I didn't see my absolute, everyday favourite, Rittenhouse Rye 100, but if it was there, it would have been my vote. Old Overholt is my runner up. These ryes may not be expensive, which makes them additionally attractive, but they are simply outstanding. The Van Winkle Family Reserve rye is my more expensive favourite, always has been, whenever I can find it that is...